Generous donation allows Pender County Animal Shelter to waive adoption fees

BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — Many animal shelters are bursting at the seams with the rising cost of living.  

A generous donation to the Pender County Animal Shelter is making it possible to send more animals to homes this holiday season. 

The dogs and cats at Pender County Animal Shelter have more of a reason to be “Home for the Holidays.” 

Shelter manager Jewell Horton tells us why.   

“We had a person in our community, they had a loved one who passed away and as a part of their estate they elected to make a contribution to the shelter and as part of that they elected to take a good chunk of that money and put it towards covering the adoptions fees of all of our adoptable animals,” Horton said. 

December has been a hard month for the shelter, as intakes are high, and donations are low, as people are preparing for the holidays.  

However, this donation gives a glimmer of hope.  

“So, we were kind of looking at sluggish numbers so for someone to make that type of generous donation this month and allow us to fee waive. Just really gives us more hope that some more animals will get adopted by citizens or pulled by local rescuers,” Horton said. 

To adopt, you must be at least 18 years old with a photo ID. You also do not need to be a Pender County resident to adopt.  

If you can’t take in an animal, there are other ways to help.  

“Other ways you can help are sponsoring pets like this generous person did. We are also accepting food donations. We kind of have like a little pet food hub trying to help keep pets in homes for people who are struggling to provide food for their animals. So, you can donate food here as well to try and help pets in our community,” Horton shared.  

Horton says anyone looking at adopting an animal this holiday season can look in Pender County, and beyond. 

“While not every shelter may have fee waive adoptions. There’s lots of programs that every shelter is working to try and help animals in their community. So, reach out to your shelter and see how you can help,” Horton emphasized. 

If you are looking to adopt a pet, the shelter is open during the afternoons; Monday through Friday from 1 pm to 5 pm and on weekends from noon until 4 pm.